To discuss means to talk about something in detail with other people, examining ideas, arguments, or evidence in order to reach a conclusion or a mutual understanding. It can also mean to examine a topic by argument in writing.
What Does Discuss Mean?
The verb discuss comes from the Latin discutere, meaning "to dash to pieces" or "to shake apart", from dis- (apart) and quatere (to shake). By the 15th century it had evolved through Old French into Middle English with the sense of examining a question thoroughly. The underlying idea is that of breaking a subject apart in order to look at each piece carefully.
In medieval Latin, discutere was used in legal contexts to mean "to investigate" or "to examine a case" — a sense that survives in the modern meaning of analysing evidence or arguments rather than simply chatting. By the 16th century, English writers used discuss to mean both formal written analysis and spoken deliberation.
Today discuss is a core academic and professional verb. It appears constantly in essay questions ("Discuss the causes of…"), meeting agendas ("We will discuss the budget"), and academic papers ("Section 4 discusses the implications"). Mastering its correct use — especially avoiding the very common error "discuss about" — will significantly improve the quality of your written and spoken English. See Cambridge Dictionary's full entry on “discuss” for more examples.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Level & usage note |
|---|---|
| We will discuss the findings at the next meeting. | A2 — basic transitive use; direct object follows immediately |
| The teacher asked the class to discuss the story in small groups. | B1 — discuss + infinitive complement; classroom instruction |
| The report discusses several possible solutions to the housing shortage. | B1 — third person singular; written / academic register |
| Both parties have been discussing the terms of the agreement for several weeks. | B2 — present perfect continuous; formal / professional context |
| The paper critically discusses the extent to which globalisation has undermined national sovereignty. | C1 — adverb modifier; academic analytical writing; complex noun phrase as object |
Common Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| discuss a topic | We discussed a range of topics at the seminar. |
| discuss the matter | I'd like to discuss the matter further after the presentation. |
| discuss an issue | The committee met to discuss the issue of funding. |
| discuss the findings | Section 3 discusses the findings of the survey. |
| discuss options | Let's sit down and discuss our options before deciding. |
| discuss plans | Management will discuss plans for the merger next week. |
| discuss concerns | Parents are encouraged to discuss any concerns with the class teacher. |
| discuss the implications | The final chapter discusses the implications of the research. |
| briefly / fully discuss | The report briefly discusses potential risks but does not analyse them in depth. |
| discuss at length | The two sides discussed the proposal at length before reaching a compromise. |
Usage Notes
- Discuss is transitive. It must be followed directly by an object: discuss the problem, not discuss about the problem. This is the single most common ESL error with this verb.
- Formal register. Discuss is more formal than talk about. In academic essays, reports, and professional correspondence, prefer discuss; in casual conversation, talk about sounds more natural.
- Adverb modifiers. Discuss combines well with adverbs: discuss briefly, discuss fully, discuss critically, discuss at length. Using these in academic writing shows a higher level of precision.
- Passive voice. The passive form be discussed is very common in formal writing: The results are discussed in the following section. This shifts focus to the topic rather than the writer.
- Noun form. The related noun is discussion. Common phrases: under discussion, open for discussion, in discussion with, lead a discussion.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
Let's discuss about the new policy tomorrow.
Let's discuss the new policy tomorrow. (discuss is transitive — no "about" needed)
We discussed of several options during the meeting.
We discussed several options during the meeting. (no preposition between discuss and its object)
She discussed me her concerns.
She discussed her concerns with me. (discuss does not take an indirect object — use "with" instead)
Related Words
Practise This Word
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Frequently Asked Questions about “discuss”
What does discuss mean?
Discuss means to talk about a subject in detail, considering different viewpoints or pieces of evidence. It implies a two-way exchange rather than a one-sided statement. For example: 'We need to discuss the budget before making a decision.'
Is discuss transitive or intransitive?
Discuss is a transitive verb, which means it must be followed directly by an object. You discuss something — you do not 'discuss about something'. This is a very common mistake among ESL learners. Correct: 'Let's discuss the proposal.' Incorrect: 'Let's discuss about the proposal.'
What is the noun form of discuss?
The noun form is 'discussion'. You can have a discussion, lead a discussion, or be in discussion with someone. The adjective form is 'discussable' (sometimes written 'discussible'), though this is relatively uncommon in everyday speech.
What is the difference between discuss and talk about?
Both mean to speak about a topic, but 'discuss' is more formal and implies a structured exchange of ideas, often with the aim of reaching a conclusion. 'Talk about' is more informal and can refer to any casual mention of a subject. In academic and professional writing, 'discuss' is strongly preferred.
Can discuss be used in passive voice?
Yes. The passive form is 'be discussed': 'The issue will be discussed at the board meeting.' This is very common in formal and academic writing, especially when the focus is on the topic rather than the people speaking. 'The results were discussed in detail in Chapter 3.'
What collocations are most common with discuss?
The most frequent collocations include: discuss a topic, discuss the matter, discuss an issue, discuss findings, discuss options, discuss plans, discuss concerns, and discuss the implications. In academic contexts, 'discuss the results' and 'discuss the evidence' are particularly common.
How do you pronounce discuss?
The British English pronunciation is /dɪˈskʌs/. The stress falls on the second syllable: di-SKUSS. The noun 'discussion' is pronounced /dɪˈskʌʃ.ən/, again with stress on the second syllable. Note that the verb and noun have slightly different endings.
What is the difference between discuss and debate?
Discuss is neutral — it simply means to examine a topic together. Debate implies a more formal or adversarial exchange where participants argue opposing positions. You can discuss ideas in a friendly conversation; a debate usually has two defined sides trying to persuade each other or a wider audience.
What level (CEFR) is the word discuss?
Discuss is typically taught at A2–B1 level (Elementary to Intermediate) and appears on most international English exams including IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge B2 First, and C1 Advanced. It is an essential academic and professional verb that learners at all levels benefit from mastering.
How can I practise using discuss in English?
Use LexFizz's Complete the Sentence exercise to practise 'discuss' and related verbs in context, or explore the Flash Cards tool to review key vocabulary. You can also practise by writing short paragraphs using the collocation 'discuss the findings' or joining an online language exchange to discuss topics with native speakers.